The RAF Tornados used the missiles - favoured for their ability to strike
targets accurately and minimise civilian casualties - to hit Isil targets

British RAF fighter jets have used Brimstone missiles in Syria against Isil targets for the first time, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

The missiles - favoured for their ability to hit small or fast-moving targets without endangering civilians in the vicinity - were used to destroy a terrorist supply truck near Raqqa and a crane near the Omar oil field.

The crane had been brought in by terrorists to repair damage caused to the oil field following earlier RAF strikes in the area.

RAF planes have been used against Isil targets in Syria Photo: Cpl Neil Bryden

Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, said: “Britain is playing a key role in the fight against Daesh whether helping Iraqi ground forces retake Ramadi or by striking targets near its Raqqa heartland

“Our Reaper drones have now flown 1000 missions against Daesh and we will maintain this tempo with RAF pilots flying day and night over Iraq and Syria. The Royal Navy continues to support our allies as HMS St Albans will shortly join the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier group as we unite to destroy Daesh.

“To ensure we are doing all we can in this fight I will be meeting key coalition defence ministers next week to review progress and to plan the next stage of the strategy.”

Many areas of the country have been devastated by heavy fighting Photo: Abdalrhman Ismail/Reuters

During a day of targeted atacks in Syria on Sunday, the RAF hit a number of key targets including buildings, tunnels, infrastructure and trucks.

Near Isil-held Raqqa a pair of Tornados bombed two buildings held by the terror group, one of which was a command and control centre.

A Brimstone missile was used to destroy a supply truck, the Ministry of Defence said. An official said the MoD is "not aware" of any civilian casualties following the air strikes.

Drones have also been used in Syria Photo: GETTY

On the same day a separate mission dropped four Paveway missiles on a tunnel complex, also near Raqqa, and a Reaper drone used a Hellfire missile against a terrorist stronghold in the same area.

Later on another Tornado flight and a Reaper used Brimstone and Hellfire missiles to attack mobile cranes, brought in by Isil to repair damage caused during an earlier RAF attack on the Omar oil field - a strategic financial position for the group.

The prime minister's spokeswoman said the fresh attacks reflect "the fact that where we identify targets and an ability to strike them we will do all we can to target Daesh".

The activity follows criticism of the UK's efforts in the region, after it emerged RAF planes had carried out very few missions in Syria since MPs voted in favour of extending air strikes.